Chapter 60

“I thought Seojin would be busy, so I was just going to call him, but he came right away.”

Hyesoo’s expression seemed particularly bright as she spoke, as if she was glad to see Seojin’s face outside after a long time.

“Haji, it’s quite awkward with Seojin, isn’t it? He’s always been so quiet that he makes people around him feel awkward.”

“Oh, yes. Haha……”

Despite Hyesoo’s attempt to break the awkward atmosphere, Haji could only smile awkwardly because of Seojin, who was eating as usual beside her.

The meal time passed uneventfully, as if the worries she had before coming out about her relationship with this man were unnecessary.

“Haji, you should get a health check-up.”

“Pardon?”

“Our company is providing health check-ups for employees. How about you get one too?”

It was a topic she had thought of asking about before coming. Glancing at Seojin, Haji nodded.

“That sounds good. I think I need it anyway.”

“Yes, yes. I’ve noticed the café stays open late these days? You should take care of your health more when you’re busy.”

Although it was because of the man who cared for her health, Haji agreed with Hyesoo and decided to get a health check-up, unaware of Seojin’s incredulous expression.

“Seojin, do you get health check-ups?”

“Yes, I’m taking care of it.”

“Well, you always take care of things well. But still, make sure to take care of your health.”

Hyesoo looked at Seojin with a hint of regret and picked up some greens with her chopsticks. Haji, caught between the mother and son, gulped down her water and took a breath. It seemed she was the only one uncomfortable with Hyesoo’s expression.

“Sunbae, since you’re running a business, you should take care of your health more. For the sake of your employees. In that sense, it would be good to visit your mother’s pharmaceutical company occasionally.”

“……Why?”

“Because there are many good medicines at the pharmaceutical company……? Like vitamins……?”

Seojin’s questioning made Haji blurt out nonsensical words. His lips subtly curled up as he read Haji’s flustered expression.

He’s so mean.

“Yes, Seojin. I’ll get you some vitamins, so come by sometime. The company is close, and you haven’t been there yet, have you?”

“Sure.”

“When you come, let’s also have the coffee Haji makes. It’s so delicious. Our employees love it.”

Haji’s face gradually turned red at Hyesoo’s praise in front of Seojin, who had already drunk her coffee countless times.

“Let’s do that. Sounds good.”

Because of Seojin’s feigned ignorance, the embarrassment was entirely hers. Haji lowered her head and stuffed the remaining rice into her mouth.

Thud, a water cup was placed in front of Haji.

“You’ll choke.”

“Ahem, thank you.”

Haji glanced at Hyesoo’s eyes and grabbed the water cup. Hyesoo, however, simply watched the two of them with a smile.

At that moment, Hyesoo’s phone rang. Looking at the screen, Hyesoo picked up her phone.

“I need to take this call.”

“It’s okay, go ahead.”

Hyesoo asked for understanding from Haji and Seojin and left the room for a moment.

“Haah……”

Only then did Haji, slightly relieved of tension, sigh and lean back in her chair.

“Why are you so nervous?”

“How can you be so calm, Sunbae?”

Haji looked at Seojin with wide eyes. Seeing the slight smile in his eyes, her lips pouted.

“How should I be?”

“Well, it’s not about how you should be, but……”

Still.

“It’s lying……”

“Lying?”

“Your mother doesn’t know about our relationship.”

As Haji mumbled quietly, Seojin let out a small laugh. At the same time, he removed a strand of hair stuck to Haji’s lips.

“She doesn’t know now.”

“Now? What do you mean……?”

Before she could ask when she would know, Hyesoo opened the door and came back in.

As she entered, the flowing silence was broken, and Hyesoo sat down with a small smile, as if she had expected this.

“Seojin doesn’t talk much, so Haji, you must feel uncomfortable.”

“Oh, no. It’s fine.”

Seojin’s lips loosened slightly as he watched Haji deny it with waving hands.

“She says it’s fine.”

“Is it really fine, or is it because you’re uncomfortable?”

“N-no, it’s really fine……”

Haji trailed off and lowered her head. With the conversation with Seojin unfinished and Hyesoo barging in, she couldn’t figure out what to do.

She just couldn’t understand Seojin, who was so different from herself.

***

The three of them exchanged farewells in front of the pharmaceutical company building. After chatting over lunch, it was already late afternoon.

Fortunately, none of them had to worry about returning late.

“Goodbye. I’ll be going now.”

The first to say goodbye was Seojin. He gave a brief farewell and nodded to Haji before disappearing leisurely.

“Even though he’s my son, he’s so boring. Don’t you think?”

“Haha……”

Hyesoo’s grumbling made Haji smile awkwardly. Knowing Seojin’s usual demeanor towards her, she couldn’t say anything either way.

“I wonder if such a dry and cold person could ever date properly……”

Gulp, Haji’s throat caught dryly. As she quietly cleared her throat and managed her expression, Hyesoo continued her concerns.

“Even though he’s my son, he’s just handsome. I don’t think he’ll be good with women. I wonder what kind of woman would date him. With his personality, he might live alone forever.”

“Um……”

It was a reasonable thought. Seojin’s personality didn’t seem to fit someone who would settle down and live a devoted life.

“Do you think so too?”

“Well…… I think there’s a very slight chance?”

Haji showed a small gap between her thumb and index finger. She didn’t want to cause too much disappointment.

“Yeah, if I see it this way, others probably see it even more clearly.”

As Hyesoo let out a long sigh, Haji felt uncomfortable for no reason.

“Haji, you should meet someone more tender and fun.”

“…… Yes.”

“Alright, I really should let you go now. I’ve kept you too long. Go on in.”

When they arrived in front of Haji’s cafe, Hyesoo showed a gentle smile.

Seeing that smile directed at her, Haji felt a growing sense of guilt deep inside.

“Mother……”

“Yes?”

“Would you like some coffee?”

At Haji’s offer, Hyesoo’s smile deepened, as if finding Haji’s kind heart endearing.

“It’s okay. Next time, I’ll buy it when Seojin comes.”

“I already know you buy it often.”

“Oh? Then I plan to continue buying it often.”

In Hyesoo’s playful words, Haji momentarily saw a glimpse of Seojin’s playful side.

Seeing Seojin’s hidden features in the warm Hyesoo made Haji blink.

“Really, it’s okay. Next time you visit my office, please bring me a cup of coffee.”

Misunderstanding Haji’s silence, Hyesoo added, patting her shoulder.

“Sure. Next time, I’ll treat the secretarial staff who come instead of you, Mother.”

She said, recalling the secretarial staff from the director’s office who visited her cafe daily. Since Dodam Dodam opened, Hyesoo had been the best regular.

“Oh? Sure.”

As Haji spoke with a determined fist, Hyesoo’s laughter echoed in the lobby.

***

That evening, Haji and Seojin met again outside.

Rustle, rustle, Haji’s fingers continuously grabbed popcorn. She checked the time and then lowered her eyes regretfully, chewing her lips.

“I should have checked the movie time in advance.”

Seojin watched the popcorn endlessly entering Haji’s mouth.

“Let’s check next time.”

He replied earnestly.

“Yes, let’s book in advance next time.”

Feeling happy at the prospect of another outing, Haji grabbed a handful of popcorn. She couldn’t hide her excitement at having her first outdoor date with Seojin.

“Didn’t you have enough for dinner?”

“It’s been a while since I had popcorn.”

“I’m surprised you have room for it.”

Remembering that they had eaten just ten minutes ago.

Seojin found it curious as he recalled Haji putting down her chopsticks, saying she was full, just ten minutes ago.

“They say there’s a separate stomach for dessert. I’m just an ordinary girl.”

“You really are like a rabbit eating feed.”

“…… A rabbit?”

Haji’s mouth stopped chewing as her eyes widened like a rabbit’s.